Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This article describes an effort to apply behavioral science technologies to facilitate the social and economic development of the Caribbean Island of Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. A period of rising tensions, culminating in a labor dispute which erupted into a night of rioting, burning, and looting, preceded the intervention.

The project had two major elements: (1) motivation training, designed to encourage residents to view themselves as "origins" rather than "pawns" and enable them to set life and career goals and plan effectively to achieve them; and (2) an "outlet program," which involved the Island's leaders in creating new educational and job opportunities for individuals whose aspiration levels were raised by the motivation training. The intervention is evaluated, and several problems and issues relevant beyond the Curacao case are discussed.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

de Charms, R. Personal causation. New York: Academic Press, 1968.

de Charms, R. Origins, pawns, and educational practice. In G. S. Lessor (Ed.), Psychology and the educational process. Glenview, Ill.: Scott, Foresman, 1969.

McBer and Company Publications Series. Influencing community change. October 1970, No. 4.

McClelland, D. C. The two faces of power. Journal of International Affairs, 1970, 24 (1), 29-47.

McClelland, D. C. Motivational trends in society. New York: General Learning Press, 1971.

McClelland, D. C. , & Winter, D. G. Motivating economic achievement. New York: Free Press, 1969.

Schein, E. H. , & Bennis, W. G. Personal and organizational change through group methods. New York: Wiley, 1965.

Timmons, J. A.

Black is beautiful-Is it bountiful?

Harvard Business Review, November-December, 1971, pp. 81-94.

Social Intervention in Curacao: A Case Study

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References